“Have you set up the lights yet—?”
“I though Kyle was supposed to do that—“
“WHERE ARE THE ORNAMENTS?!”
“Guys, Christmas is today and we haven’t even set up the tree! We have to be ready by the time they get here!”
Pyhl sighed, watching his friend group scramble to set up the tree. They had gotten so caught up in everything else, they had forgotten the most important part.
“You’re the one in charge of everything, why didn’t you tell us earlier?” Emil glared, scoffing as he fluffed the tree.
“No use in arguing~! I’ve got the lights, and the ornaments are behind the couch in the lounge!” Asad speaks up, gliding by with a box of lights.
“Is this right?” Jean asks from the ladder, trying to put up the banner.
Half of them wince, Kyle correcting him, “Backwards and facing the wrong way.”
“…” if Jean didn’t have the cloth over his eyes, he would be glaring at them.
“We asked them to be here in ten minutes, and for some reason I highly doubt that we’ll be ready by then,” Pyhl pinched the bridge of his nose, already drained.
“No problem! Make the clock reverse—“
“You are not Rapunzel, Kyle! But yes, do go back. Like, fifteen minutes?”
“Ahem, time is not as you perceive it, for I’m the hand that holds it! Rewind!” Kyle took out a pocket watch, holding it to the sky dramatically as light enveloped it, the hands spinning back wildly before resting at 15 minutes beforehand.
“My eyes will never recover from the atrocity they just witnessed.” Emil said flatly, standing from his crouched position to see the state of the tree.
“Kyle, get the ornaments. Asad, set up the lights. Mark, help Jean with the lights. Emil, do whatever you want. Pete… where’s Pete?” Pyhl looks around, not seeing the mer anywhere.
“He’s cooking and baking. It’s a mess in there, he’ll probably sting you if you bother him.” Asad informs, stringing up the lights with a smile.
“Territorial much?” Mark grins, as if he isn’t just as territorial.
So far, everything was going well. Pyhl just needs to sign the card, and make sure nothing else go wrong, and then they can all celebrate Christmas. He sighs, smiling to himself. This will be a good year. He can’t wait to see everyone’s smile as they open the presents—
“The presents! Did we remember the presents?!”
“Pyhl, calm down. They’re piled in the corner for when the tree is done. The world isn’t ending,” Jean states, stepping down from the ladder.
“…right. Are we almost done? We just need the food, and then we can surprise them, right?” Pyhl calls out, seeing how everyone is almost done.
“Food’s here. If any of you fucking touch it, I’m drowning you in poison,” Pete finally arrived, carrying steaming trays of food and setting them on the table. He rushed to get more, coming back with more food and some desserts.
“As if your spines weren’t flared enough! Damn lionfish. You know, I know a much less fishy lion—“
“Shut it you broke-ass! Sevens..” Pete scoffs, arranging the plates to his taste.
“Please, no fighting. They’ll be here any minute,” Pyhl takes a scan around the Ignihyde lounge, marking sure everything is up to par.
The tree is scraping the ceiling (how they found such a tall tree, they’ll never know), lights neatly wrapped around its full leaves, ornaments decorating each branch.
There were fairy lights hung up around the lounge, and one of the screens was even set to a fireplace visual. The banner had a cursive “Merry Christmas” written in red glittery ink, curtesy of Kyle.
The table was set with ungodly amounts of food, which they’ll likely have to share with their dorms.
Finally, they each had a red Christmas hat on, even if some people (Kyle’s ears and Mark’s horns) couldn’t wear it well.
This would be the perfect Christmas—
“Merry Christmas, Pyhl,” a hand rests on his shoulder, and he whips his head around, seeing them smile cheekily at him.
“…how long have you been here?”
“Long enough. Ready to open presents? You forgot to put them under the tree, so why don’t we do that together?”
“Of course. Merry Christmas, You.”
Or whatever you celebrate, or if you don’t! I would say spoilers, but it’s a bit late. It’s not canon anyway…?
